Boise's Merritt within striking distance at Boise Open

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Rounds of seven and eight under have former Boise State golfer Troy Merritt four shots back of the lead heading into the final day at the Albertson's Boise Open.

Merritt tied his web.com career-best round of eight under par Saturday to get to 14-under par, tied for 17th but just four shots back of leader Philip Pettitt, Jr. (-18). There are 28 golfers within five shots of the lead, and the way the course has been giving out low scores, Sunday's final round should - at the very least - provide an equal to the tournament record of -22 set in 2012.

Merritt took time after his round to put a Chris Petersen-autographed Boise State helmet sticker on the door of the PGA Tour operations semitruck. That is a budding tradition, and the Bronco logo joins 16 other logos of web.com Tour golfer's alma maters - but is the only one autographed.

Tour staff say they will add a piece of blue behind the logo sticker to make it appear as though its attached to a BSU helmet.

The Associated Press story on the Boise Open's third round follows below:

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Russell Knox followed his record-tying 59 with 68 on Saturday to drop a stroke behind Philip Pettitt after the third round of the Web.com Tour's Boise Open.

Pettitt had an 8-under 63 to reach 18-under 195 at Hillcrest Country Club.

"I knew it was going to be a challenge, how can it not be? I had to regroup," Knox said. "I was still close to the lead. I had a bunch of 10, 15 and 20-footers for birdie that went in yesterday but not today. I was expecting it, just like I expect them to go in tomorrow."

Will Wilcox, two weeks removed from his own 59 in the Utah Championship, had a 62 to join Michael Connell (61), Kevin Tway (63) Will MacKenzie (65), Chad Collins (67) and Bronson La'Cassie (68) at 16 under.

Knox is the fifth Web.com Tour player to shoot 59, also joining Notah Begay III, Doug Dunakey, and Jason Gore.

The Scot made short birdie putts on Nos. 16 and 17 to get a spot in the final group.

"Everyone is bunched up now and tomorrow is going to be a shootout," Knox said. "I'm in perfect position. They're all going to find it difficult tomorrow to back up their good rounds."